August 17, 2005

Have faith in God –
Who guides the mote and star;
Have faith in God –
From earth to worlds afar;
Have faith in God –
However old you are.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Annie Sherwood Hawks, 1835-1918
Refrain by Robert Lowry

    In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7.

    This deeply personal hymn came from the heart of a busy housewife and mother who had no idea of the spiritual strength that her own hastily written words would bring her later during a sorrowful time in her life.
    The author, Annie S. Hawks, has left this account about the writing of her poem in 1872:

    One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly I became filled with the sense of nearness to the Master, and I began to wonder how anyone could ever live without Him, either in joy or pain. Then the words were ushered into my mind and these thoughts took full possession of me.

    Sixteen years later, Mrs. Hawks experienced the death of her husband. Years after, she wrote:

    I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.

    After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published at the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872.
    One of the blessings of a victorious Christian life is knowing the closeness of our Lord in every circumstance of life. Like Annie Hawks, it is so important that we develop strong spiritual lives during the peaceful hours in order that we will be able to be victorious when difficulties come, which they surely will to everyone at some time.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Chorus:
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission